The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - Chapter 16: "The Ground" Summary & Analysis

Sogyal Rinpoche

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Chapter 16: "The Ground" Summary

In this chapter, Sogyal discusses the Ground Luminosity. He begins by noting that in death, one cannot escape what or who he or she truly is. Once inner and outer dissolution have occurred, there is nothing left to obscure true nature, and one is left with the primordial ground of absolute nature. This is called the Ground Luminosity of the Clear Light. This is the greatest moment for liberation, but one must recognize the opportunity. Many cannot, and thus resort to old habits and conditioning, which lead to negative emotion and grasping, preventing enlightenment. In order to recognize the moment, one must stabilize the nature of the mind throughout life, and rest in the nature of the mind through meditation. In doing so, one is able to allow habits and conditioning to die in every day life...